A J A Y S H A R M A

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Environmental Sampling

Three major areas

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Water sampling

Air sampling

Soil sampling

Important criteria's for environmental sampling are

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Location

Interferences with surrounding

Instruments/ apparatus /tools

Integrity & composure of individual

Water sampling

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To understand water sampling first understand

water cycle (hydrologic cycle) in nature, soil

characteristics (permeability & porosity) and basic

characteristics of water such as temperature,

dissolved oxygen and turbidity.

Hydrologic cycle

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Transfer of water between land, sea and atmosphere (air).

Water precipitates onto land, may transpired by vegetation, runoff, sink into land and some part evaporate.

Circulation of water in earth’s hydrosphere.

Permeability of soil

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Due to the existence of the inter-connected

voids, soils are permeable. The permeable

soils will allow water flow from points of high

energy to points of low energy.

Permeability is the parameter to characterize

the ability of soil to transport water.

Water table

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Below a certain depth, all the interstices are filled with water. The upper surface of this water saturated zone is called the water table.

Ground & surface water

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Ground water: Water below the water table is ground water

In area of higher water table, GW interacts with earth’s surface in form of seepage, streams and spring.

Surface water: water in contact with atmosphere and earth surface is surface water.

Before sampling

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Make health and safety plan (be safe)

Extra sample kits (how many duplicates)

Sampling plan & strategy (what ,where & how)

Turnaround time (communication with lab or project manager)

Legal issues (access permit)

Site observations

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Color ,odour & turbidity (cloudiness)

Algal bloom (consumes oxygen & give off toxins)

Full description of weather activity on sampling time

Any indication of interference or unusual activity

On site tests

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Those parameters that may change on way to laboratory should be tested immediately on site

Chlorine can be measured with test kit

Oxygen & temperature can be measured with meter

Sampling location

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One has to survey the site to determine the sampling locations.

To conclude that there was a discharge from a particular facility, samples will have to be taken before discharge point, at discharge point, and below the discharge point.

Flow estimates should be made (use basic mathematics skills)

Sampler has to judge or predict how far downstream to sample so that a possible slug of pollutant might be found.

Sampling Locations

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Flow rate calculations

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Amount of fluid flowing in given time is flow rate.

Flow rate= Area(m2) × Velocity (m/s)

Daily Flow= (m3/s) × 60 s/min. × 1440 min/d

Detention time

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Length of time a drop of water or sediment remains in chamber.

It is amount of time in which any tank fill up o overflow.

Detection time= Volume of tank/ Flow rate